1971 - India recognized the Democratic Republic of Bangladesh and Pakistan broke off diplomatic relations. Bangladesh became independent from Pakistan following a 9-month war. Bangladesh later accused Pakistan of war atrocities that led to the death of some 3 million people during the 9-month war.

1992 - Extremist Hindu activists demolish Babri Masjid - a 16th century mosque in Ayodhya, India which had been used as temple since 1949. Hindus believe this structure was built on the site of the birthplace of Lord Rama.

1995 - Dmitri Antonovich Volkogonov dies (67). Ex-Soviet soldier and historian who wrote biographies of Stalin, Lenin and Trotsky based on archival material of the Soviet Union. From 1991 until his death he was the head of the Russian Archive Declassifying Commission.

2002 - Actress Winona Ryder was sentenced to community service as part of a probationary term for stealing more than $5,500 worth of merchandise from a Saks Fifth Avenue store in Beverly Hills, Califórnia.